nos.nl
1.2-Million-Year-Old Antarctic Ice Core Retrieved
A team of scientists in Antarctica retrieved a nearly 3-kilometer-long ice core after a decade of drilling, revealing ice at least 1.2 million years old to study past climate and atmospheric changes, and the evolution of life in ancient times.
- How did the extraction process and environmental conditions impact the research?
- The ice core contains a layer of sediment, microorganisms, viruses, and bacteria, offering insights into the evolution of life in ancient times. The extraction was a technologically advanced operation, performed in teams under extreme conditions (-26 to -27 degrees Celsius). Analysis of previous core sections showed that greenhouse gas concentrations never exceeded levels seen since the Industrial Revolution.
- What long-term insights into climate change and the history of life can this ice core provide?
- Future analysis of the 1.2-million-year-old ice core will provide unprecedented insights into long-term climate patterns and the evolution of life. The data may refine models predicting future climate change and its impacts. The research team anticipates completing all studies within two years.
- What are the immediate implications of discovering a 1.2-million-year-old ice core in Antarctica?
- In Antarctica, scientists retrieved a nearly 3-kilometer-long ice core after 10 years of drilling, reaching ice at least 1.2 million years old. This ice core will be analyzed to understand past atmospheric and climate changes, potentially revealing when the Antarctic ice age began and when glacial cycles slowed from 41,000 to 120,000 years.
Sustainable Development Goals
The research on the ice core will provide valuable data on past atmospheric and climate changes, contributing to a better understanding of climate change and informing mitigation strategies. The analysis of greenhouse gas concentrations in the ice core helps to establish a baseline for comparison with current levels, highlighting the significant increase since the Industrial Revolution. This knowledge is crucial for developing effective climate action plans.